The Convenient Counselor
Hosted by Briana Leach - a wife, mom of three, and licensed professional counselor (LPC), this podcast covers a variety of counseling topics that all have the same foundation...taking serious topics and making them less intimidating and more accessible. Join in and learn more about yourself in this "awkward one-sided counseling session" that is short enough for a quick car ride, yet gets right to the point and challenges you to increase your self-awareness!
The Convenient Counselor
Episode 131 - Build Your Own "Dopamine Menu"
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Ever feel sad and have absolutely no idea what you actually want? Same. That's exactly why this episode exists.
Today we're building a dopamine menu — a personalized, pre-made list of activities designed to give your brain a healthy boost when you're running low. Think of it like a restaurant menu for your nervous system, ready to go before the hard days hit.
We're talking about the science behind dopamine (it's different than serotonin and endorphins), why sadness makes it so hard to figure out what you need, and how to build a menu that actually works for YOU — not just what sounds good in theory.
By the end of this episode, you'll have a simple framework and a homework assignment that takes less than 10 minutes. Your future self will thank you!
📋 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
– What a dopamine menu is (and what it isn't)
– The four menu categories: Appetizers, Entrées, Desserts & Specials
– How to personalize your menu based on what actually restores you
– Common mistakes to avoid
– Your listener homework